Act One Vocabulary | Word Parts
Directions: At the bare minimum complete the “base” and part of speech/dictionary definition for each of the
vocabulary words from Act One. Use a dictionary for help. An example has been done for you.
Word
abomination
Base
abominate
Meaning of
Base
regard with
intense dislike;
hate
Root and
meaning of
Root
ab homine; away
from man,
inhuman
Suffix(es)
-ion
How the
Suffix
Changes
the Word
makes the verb
abominate into a
noun
Inferred
Meaning of
Vocabulary
Word
the act or
condition of
being inhuman
Vocabulary
Word’s Part
of Speech
and
Dictionary
Definition
noun; anything
hateful or
disgusting
conjured
contention
deference
prodigious
Word
Base
Meaning
of Base
Root and
Meaning
of Root
Suffix(es)
How the
Suffix
Changes
the Word
Inferred
Meaning
of
Vocabulary
Word
Vocabulary
Word’s
Part of
Speech and
Dictionary
Definition
innate
paradox
licentious
vindictive
manifestation
Act Two | Vocabulary in Context
Directions: Look up the definitions for each of the following vocabulary words. Then write a sentence using the
vocabulary word, showing that you understand the word’s meaning. Finally, answer the question that follows using
complete sentences and as much detail as possible.
1. ameliorate
a. Definition:
b. Sentence:
c. Name three aspects of your life that you would like to ameliorate.
2. avid
a. Definition:
b. Sentence:
c. If someone was described as an avid sports fan, in what activities might he/she be involved?
3. blasphemy
a. Definition:
b. Sentence:
c. What kind of behavior might be considered blasphemous?
4. crone
a. Definition:
b. Sentence:
c. What kinds of questions or comments might a woman consider crones against her?
5. flailing
a. Definition:
b. Sentence:
c. If you saw a person running out of a building flailing his arms, what might you guess was
happening?
6. indignant
a. Definition:
b. Sentence:
c. Describe a situation in which you were indignant about something.
7. pallor
a. Definition:
b. Sentence:
What might cause a horrible pallor on someone’s face?
8. poppet
a. Definition:
b. Sentence:
Give details of what you think a poppet from the 1700’s might look like.
9. vengeance
a. Definition:
b. Sentence:
Describe a time when you wanted vengeance for something.
10. wily
a. Definition:
b. Sentence:
What kind of animal or person could be described as wily?
Act Three | Assessment Preparation: Word Roots
Directions: In this exercise, you will be going on a “dictionary scavenger hunt.” Complete Part A, use the vocabulary
words from Act Three to answer the question. You do not have to complete Part B.
1. The word perceive comes from the Latin percipere, meaning “to thoroughly take in”.
a. Which vocabulary word has the same root? ______________________________________
b. What other words have this same root? ___________________ ____________________
2. The word frontal comes from the Latin frons, meaning “front”.
a. Which vocabulary word has the same root? ______________________________________
b. What other words have this same root? ___________________ ____________________
3. The word abound comes from the Latin undare, meaning “to move in waves”.
a. Which vocabulary word has the same root? ______________________________________
b. What other words have this same root? ____________________ ____________________
4. The word complain comes from the Latin plangere, which means “to lament”.
a. Which vocabulary word has the same root? ______________________________________
b. What other words have this same root? ____________________ ____________________
5. The word go comes from the Middle English ghe, which means “to release; let go”.
a. Which vocabulary word has the same root? ______________________________________
b. What other words have this same root? ____________________ ____________________
6. The word gore comes from the Old English gar, meaning “to pierce; stab”.
a. Which vocabulary word has the same root? ______________________________________
b. What other words have this same root? ____________________ ____________________
7. The word compose comes from the Latin ponere, meaning “to put or place.”
a. Which vocabulary word has the same root? ______________________________________
b. What other words have this same root? ____________________ ____________________
8. The word creed comes from the Latin credo, meaning “believe”.
a. Which vocabulary word has the same root? ______________________________________
b. What other words have this same root? ____________________ ____________________
9. The word invest comes from the Latin vestis, meaning “garment”.
a. Which vocabulary word has the same root? ______________________________________
b. What other words have this same root? ____________________ ____________________
10. The word writhe comes from the Old English wreit, which means “to turn”.
a. Which vocabulary word has the same root? ______________________________________
b. What other words have this same root? ____________________ ____________________
Act Four | Assessment Preparation: Connotation/Denotation
Denotation is the dictionary definition of a word. Connotation is the feeling behind the word. For example,
there is a different connotation for each of the following words: slim and emaciated. Although they both have
the same technical definition, there is a different connotation associated with each. The word slim has a more
positive connotation: in other words, we would probably assume that someone who is slim is in shape and
healthy. The word emaciated has a negative connotation: it gives the impression that the person is unhealthy,
withered, or weak.
Directions: One the first line, write the denotation of the given vocabulary word from Act Four. On the second line,
write the word which has the most negative connotation of each of the underlined words. Finally, explain why this
particular word has the most negative connotation—in other words, what images come to mind when hearing this word?
An example has been done for you.
Example: agape
Denotation: to stand in awe or amazement of
Word with most negative connotation: b. flabbergasted
Image: I see a boy standing with his mouth wide open, cartoon-like with his chin dropping to the floor.
a. We were astonished at the amount of homework our teacher gave us during Spring Break.
b. We were flabbergasted at the amount of homework our teacher gave us during Spring Break.
c. We were agape at the amount of homework our teacher gave us during Spring Break.
d. We were surprised at the amount of homework our teacher gave us during Spring Break.
1. beguile
Denotation:
Word with most negative connotation:
Image:
a.
b.
c.
d.
The crafty magician tried to beguile the audience with his set of tricks.
The crafty magician tried to deceive the audience with his set of tricks.
The crafty magician tried to charm the audience with his set of tricks.
The crafty magician tried to divert the audience with his set of tricks.
2. cleave
Denotation:
Word with most negative connotation:
Image:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Lydia made a scrapbook in order to embrace her fondest memories of high school.
Lydia made a scrapbook in order to cling to her fondest memories of high school.
Lydia made a scrapbook in order to cleave to her fondest memories of high school.
Lydia made a scrapbook in order to adhere to her fondest memories of high school.
3. disputation
Denotation:
Word with most negative connotation:
Image:
a.
b.
c.
d.
The boys got into a debate in the locker room after the football game.
The boys got into a spat in the locker room after the football game.
The boys got into a brawl in the locker room after the football game.
The boys got into a disputation in the locker room after the football game.
1. excommunication
Denotation:
Word with most negative connotation:
Image:
a.
b.
c.
d.
2. gaunt
In response to their exclusion, many members decided to form their own branch of the church.
In response to their ban, many members decided to form their own branch of the church.
In response to their excommunication, many members decided to form their own branch of the
church.
In response to their censure, many members decided to form their own branch of the church.
Denotation:
Word with most negative connotation:
Image:
a.
b.
c.
d.
After several years battling cancer, Lacy’s aunt looked gaunt.
After several years battling cancer, Lacy’s aunt looked thin.
After several years battling cancer, Lacy’s aunt looked lean.
After several years battling cancer, Lacy’s aunt looked slender.
3. indictment
Denotation:
Word with most negative connotation:
Image:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Many accused witches were assumed guilty even before their arraignment.
Many accused witches were assumed guilty even before their indictment.
Many accused witches were assumed guilty even before their announcement.
Many accused witches were assumed guilty even before their accusation.
4. reprieve
Denotation:
Word with most negative connotation:
Image:
a. Pregnant women convicted of witchcraft were given a respite until their child was born.
b. Pregnant women convicted of witchcraft were given amnesty until their child was born.
c. Pregnant women convicted of witchcraft were given a reprieve until their child was born.
d. Pregnant women convicted of witchcraft were given pity until their child was born.